Knitting machine



Jan. 12, 1937. R. H. l ..AWS ON ET AL 5 KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 10, 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. .1.

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Jan. 12, 1937. R LAWSON ET AL 2,067,877

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 10, 1934 7 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 "FIG. 10.7

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- 1&65 '14 '1 7 e2 Jan. 12, 1937. R. H. LAWSON ET AL 2,067,877

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 10, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 K0175277 1. ZA W501]; Mum/vi 517175.72,

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Jan; 12, 1937- R. H. LAWSON ET AL KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 10, 1954 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 r a 1 45. \W

[NS/ENTRS! g EwERT/YZAWSMZ MLLMMLM/ZHJZR Jan. 12, 1937. R H, AWS ET AL 2,067,877

KNITTING MACHINE Filed'Jan. 1 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 My \HO 7 FIG 23 F F10. 21 V A Try.

Patented Jan. 12, 1937 UNITED STATES I KNITTING MACHINE Robert H. Lawson and William L. Smith, Jr.,

Pawtucket, R. I., assignors to Hemphill ompany, Central Falls, R. L, a corporation of Massachusetts Application January 10, 1934, Serial No. 706,082

18 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in knitting machines and more especially to knitting machines'having a plurality of feeding stations at each of which is a set of knitting cams.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view 'inelevation showing a knitting machine to which the improvements are applied;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view partly in section showing plates upon which are mounted cams for controlling jacks as well as plungers or cams for selecting the same, and cam blocks which carry the needle and sinker jack controlling cams;

.Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the plates before the plunger and cam brackets have been mounted thereon;

Fig. 4' is a plan view of one of the plates shown in Figs. 2 and 3 upon which plate is mounted the cams for controlling the movements of the jacks, and plungers for selecting the same;

Fig. 4a is a detail view of a jack selecting plunger; i

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the bracket and plungers therein shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view in section taken along the line 66, Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view, similar toFig. 4, but showing only the jack raising cam;

Fig. -8 is a detail fragmentary view of a portimes, by a hand wheel 3. Surrounding and sup-.

tion of one of the plates;

Fig. 9 is a view in rear elevation taken from the left of Fig. 4;

Fig. 10 is a view in elevation showing the several cams asthey would be viewed from the interior of the needle cylinder and showing the cam paths of the butts of the jacks and needles for producing patterned fabric;

Fig. 11 is a view in section showing a needle .and jack as they are at the phase of the knitting cycle indicated by the line "-4 I, Fig. 10;

.Fig. 11:; is an enlarged detail view showing inter-engagement of a selected jack and its companion needles, Fig. 11;

Fig. 121s a view similar to Fig. 11 at a later phase of the knitting cycle. indicated by line Fig. 4 but showthe needles and jacks moving in somewhat different paths for the production of another type of patterned fabric;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view showing a needle and associated jack at a certain phase of the knitting cycle, said phase of the knitting cycle being indicated by line l'|l'l, ;Fig. 16

Fig. 18 is a view in section showing the needl and jack at a later phase in the knitting cycle as indicated by the line Iii-l8, Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is a relatively enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, similar to Fig. 18 but showing the jack raising cam in tilted position;

Fig. 20 is a relatively enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, and similar to Fig. 18;

Fig. 21 is afragmentary plan view, partly in section, of the parts shown in Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a view in'section of the jack raising cam, the dotted lines representing different paths of the jack butts;

Fig. 23 is a view similar to Fig. 22 but showing a slightly'modified construction of the cam; and

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary View showing the advantages of the cam shown in Fig. 23 as compared with the cam shown in Fig. 22.

The frame I of the machine has mounted therein for rotary movements a needle cylinder 2 which may be rotated in anysuitable manner by driving mechanism (not shown), and, at-

porting the needle cylinder 2 for rotary movements therein is a circular. plate or base 4 which is connected to the frame of the machine from which depend legs 5. Mounted upon the upper surface of the base 4 and secured thereto as by screws 6 are a series of equally spaced plates 1. Upon the plates 1 are mounted plunger brackets-8, and other brackets 9 upon which are mounted the cam for controlling the movements of the knitting instrumentalities such as needles and-sinkers, the brackets 8 being secured to the plates 1 as by means of a screw l0, and the brackets 9 being secured to the plates 1 as by screws ll. Also mounted on the upper surfaces of the plates 1 (Figs. 4 and 9) and secured thereto as by screws I! are jack lowering cams l3 and I4 and secured to the forward faces of the said plates 1 as by screws l5 are jack elevating cams I6 (Fig. 7). The plunger carrying bracket 8 each consists of a plate' I 1 having a dove-tailed sliding connection with its bracket I the screw l0 serving to retain the plate I! in assembled position. It will be noted by inspecting Fig. 8 that the cut-away portion. I8 at the 'outer'side of the bracket 1 facilitates assembly of each plate H with its companion plate I.

The plates H are each provided with a longitudinal groove l3 within which tenons 23 are seated being fastened to the plate II as by screwsnot shown. The tenons 23 are integral with uprights 2|, 22 consisting of spaced arms 23, 24, 2-5, 26. The arms 23, 24 are horizontally slotted and within the said slots are seated spacers 21 said spacers being retained in the slots as by means of pins 23, 23 which pass through holes in the spacers and arms 23, 24. Likewise spacers 33 are seated within slots provided in the arms 25, 26 being retained in position as by pins 3|, 32. A series of flat strip-like elements or p1ung-' ers 33, twenty being shown, pass between the arms 23, 24 and 25, 26 being separated by the spacers 21 and 33 which support them in a vertical sense. The said plungers 33 are urged to a position adjacent to the needlecylinder 2 as by means of springs 34, 35, the said springs being connected to pins 36 which are secured to and 7 project laterally from arm 26, and also being secured to lugs 31, 33 which are integraLwith and project laterally from plungers, 33. As shown, the springs 34 are longer than the springs 35 beingconnected to lugs 31 which are longer than the lugs 33 and are spaced a greater dis-' tance from the pins 36. The relative spacing of the lugs 31, 33 from the pins 36 and their .relative lengths permits the springs 34, 35 to be spaced from one another so that the springs will not interfere with the proper functioning of tracted position shown by the upper plunger 33,

Fig. 6,the selective movement of the plungers being effected by means of a hooked shaped implement (not shown) which is manually operated to engage the hook shaped ends 39 of the plungers to move them to the left, Figs. and 6. When the plungers 33 are selectively retracted as just described, detents or shoulders 43 provided in each of the said plungers by recessing them,

engage the outerface of the arm 24 thus temporarily locking the moved plungers in a relatively outward position, i. e., away from the needle cylinder. The springs 34, 35 assist in the locking engagement of the detents 43 of the arm 24 by imparting a slight rocking movement to the plungers which is made possible by recessing the said plungers as at 4 I. When selected ones of the plungers 33, at the severaifeeding stations, have been moved to an outward posi-. tion as just described, they eifect the knitting of fabric having a certain pattern by controlling the movements of jacks as will be presently described; and consequently, the said plungers once selected are maintained'fin such selected posiof the fabric at which ime, preparatory to ar-. ranging the plungers fo the knitting of another pattern, all of the said plungers "or some only of tion and until it is desirji'i to change the pattern them may be permittedto move through the action of the springs,34, 35 to their inward position, 1. e., adjacentto theneedle cylinder. Such return movement of the plungers 33 is most conveniently eflected simply by pressing on the edges of the plungers opposite the hooks 33 wherethe hooked implements as described. The .plate 3 is urged to the right, Figs. 4 and 5, by means of as well as thepaths of the jack and needle butts.

' dot and dash line 66.

upon the springs return the plungers to their initial position adjacent to the needle cylinder. Such inward movement of the plungers 33 is limited by engagement of lugs 42 of the plungers 33 with an angle plate 43. It will be notedthat the lugs 42 are formed by providing slots or recesses 44 in the plungers 33, such recesses leaving edges 45 which limit the outward movement of the plungers 33 when they are withdrawn by 43 is adjustabiy secured to the arm 23 by means of pins or screws 46 which pass through elongated slots (not shown) in the plate 43 and into threaded engagement with the arm 23. The plate 43 may be adjusted'so as to permit the plungers 33 to move to a position closer to or farther from the needle cylinder as by means of screws 41 which are in threaded engagement with the outer portion of the angle plate 43 and contact with the outer face of the arm 23. In adjusting the said plate 43, the screws are first loosened and then the screws 41 are turned either to the right or to the left as the case may be, a 'spring 43 serving to lock the screw 41 and prevent turning thereof. When the plate 43 is in properly adjusted position the screws 46 are tightened thus clamping the plate 43 in fixed surface'of the arm ,24 by means of a screw (not shown) is a plate 53 upon the upper surface of which is adjustably mounted a cam carrying plate Adjustments of the plate 5| are effected by screws 52 which passthrough elongated slots 52 in the plate 5| and into threaded engagement with the plate 53, the said screws 52 serving to hold the plate 5| to the plate 53 when once adjusted. Also mounted upon the upper surface of the plate 5| is a cam lever 53 which is adapted to be rigidly held in anadjusted position as by means of a screw 54 between which'and the lever 53 is a washer 55. The plate 5| when not clamped in position with respect to the plate 53 a coil'spring 56 is attached at one end to a pin 51 upstanding from-the plate 53 and at its other 1 end to a pin 53 laterally projecting from the plate 5|. In order toadjust the plate 5| with respect to the plate 53, screw 54 is loosenedandthe cam lever 53 turned in one direction or the other either permitting the spring 56- to move the plate 5| to the right or by engaging the head of a screw 52 toretract the plate 5| against thetension' of the spring 56." In either case when the plate 5| has been moved to a properly adjusted position, the screw 54 is tightened thus locking the cam leverl53 thus effectively clamping the plate 5| to the plate 53. On the outer portion of the plate 5| isaflixed a cam 53 as by means of screws 60 63, the function of which cam 53 will be herein-c after described. I Referring to Figs. 10, 11, 11a and 12, the cams of several adjacent feeding stations are' shown The butts6| of the jacks 62 travel along a path indicated by the dot and dash line 63 while the butts 64 of the needles 65, which may be latch needles, travel along the path indicated by the For convenience the cams at the three feeding stations are designated by the reference letters A, B and C, the needles, .as indicated by the path 66, knitting plain stitches at the feeding station A and ornamental 'or special stitches such as tuck stitches at the feeding 'll stations B and C. Considering, first, knitting at the feedingstation A, the jack butts 6| all move along horizontally for a distance until they lengage the lower face of the cam l3 which depresses all of the said jacks 62 after which they are all elevated by the cam face 61 of the cam 16, being raised to their highest position. Thereafter the lower face of the .cam l4 again engages the butts 6i and partially depresses the jacks 62. While the jacks move along the path 63, as just described, the needle butts 64 move along the.

path 66 being first engaged and elevated by a cam 68 which is one of a series of cams carried by the supporting post 9. After being elevated by the cam 68, a second cam 69 engages the butts 64 and depresses the needles 65 to draw their stitches alone or in conjunction with other instrumentalities such as sinkers. After passing the cam 69 the butts 64 move along the path 66 being elevated by a cam 10. The movements of the jack butts along the path 63 and of the needle butts along the path 66 just described are entirely independent of one another, selective interen'gagement of the jacks 62 with their companion needles 65 which is about .to be described not having been effected as by the selective plu'ngers 33. r-

For the purpose of selectively controlling the movements of the needles 65 their companion jacks 62 have a series of frangible butts II, all of the said jacks originally having as many butts as there are plungers 33. When setting up the machine for a new pattern certain ones of the frangible butts 'H- are broken off, the jack 62 shown in Fig. 11 having left thereon a butt H atone elevation and the jack 62' shown in Fig. 12 having left thereon butt II at a lower elevation. Assuming that a jack 62 such as that shown in Fig. 11 has a butt 1| at a, level to be engaged bv the plunger 33 immediately at the left of the post 9, Fig. 10, engagement of the said butt H by the curved inner face 12 of such plunger causes the said jack 62 to be rocked on its fulcrum 13 which is at or about at the level of the butt 6|, thereby causing its upper hook-shaped end 14 to be moved inwardly, i. e., in the direction of the needle cylinder, to the'position shown in Figs. 11 and 11a. This rocking movement of the jacks 62 occurs while the butts 64 are moving along the horizontal face of the cam I indicated by the numeral 15, and immediately thereafter the cam face 16 of the'cam .10 engages the butt 64 and causes the,needle 65 to be elevated to the position shown in Fig. 12 thus effecting inter-engagement between thehook-shaped end 14 of the jack 62 and a correspondingly shaped lower end 11 of the companion needle 65. The interengagement of the jack and needle as just describedlprecludes any possibility of the jack and needle separating. When the needles have been elevated by the cam 16 engaging their butts 64. the face of the cam 59 closest to the needle cylinder engages the jacks 62 and retains them at a position adjacent to the needle cylinder while the cam I3 engages the butts 6! of all of the jacks 62 lowering them to their lowermost position as indicated in Fig. 10. The needles which were not moved into inter-engagement with their jacks by the selective action of the plungers 33 are elevated so that their hooked ends 17 move pastthe hooked ends 14 of their companion the jacks 62 results in the cam l3 causing the needles companion to the selected jacks to be depressed as indicated by that portion of the path 66 designated by the numeral 18, while the butts of the needles companion to the non-s..- lected jacks move along horizontally until they are engaged and elevated by the cam 68 appertaining to the feeding station B. Continued relative movements of the needle cylinder and earns causes the butts 64 of the selected needles to be engaged and elevated by the leading faceof a cam 19. Thereafter all of the needles are lowered by the cam 69 after they have taken another strand of yarn in their hooks. One of the functions of the cam 68 (feeding station B, Fig. is to cause the non-selected needles to clear their latches, if latch needles be used, while the selected needles which are not elevated to latch clearing position by the cam 68 engage a second strand of yarn in their hooks and tuck. After having been lowered by the cam l3 engaging butts 6| the previously selected needles and jacks are elevated by their respective cams l9 and 61 while the said needles and jacks are still inter-engaged; however the cam 61 is somewhat longer than the cam- 19 and consequently the additional elevation of the previously selected jacks disengages the hooks 14 from their companion hooks on the needles [5. Consequently after the needles and jacks are lowered by the cams 69 and I4 respectively at the feeding station B they are ready for a new selection by a set of plungers' 33 immediately in advance of the cam 14 at feeding station B.

Adjacent to the upper portion of the cam face 61 there is shown a cut-out portion in the cam I6 at 80 which avoids the possibility of a descending, previously non-selected needle striking the upper portion of its companion jack. Ordinarily when the non-selected needles are lowered by a cam 69 the beveled forward faces of the hooks 11 engage adjacent, beveled faces of the hooks l4 and causing them to spring out thus permitting the tails of the needles 65 to move down past the upper ends of their companion jacks 62, but should a jack tend to retain its position adjacent to the needle cylinder for a short interval of time either the tail on the needle or the upper portion of-the companion jack or both would break unless some provision such as a recess 86 in the cam 60 were employed, such recess permitting the jacks 62 to move down a short distance after being impacted by the companion and descending needle. Each cam I6 is also provided with a second recess 3| immediately below the cam l4 for the purpose of permitting the jacks to be depressed when the butts 64 of the needles engage the upper, hooked ends 14 of the jacks 62, without bending or breaking them; in other words a/provision is made for slight differences in the lengths.of jacks or needles.

The selection of jacksand consequently thcir needles.by-. plungers such as 33 for controlling the knitting at the following feeding station C proceeds in the same manner as hereinbefore described preparatory to knitting at feeding station B. Plungers 33 at each feeding s'tation constitute a series of thin, fiat elements which, in their active and inactive positions, are disposed in parallel juxtaposition, e. g., the said plungers are arranged one'above another with their flat faces or sides arranged closely adjacent to one another.

As hereinbefore disclosed the plain feeding station A where all of the needles knit is followed or ornamental stitches are knitted by some of the needles as a result of selective needle control. The needle station- C maybe followed by one or more stations, knitting tuck, or other fancy stitches, or by a. feeding station, like A where a are knitted, may be varied as by knitting plain fabric at every other feeding station, or by knitting ornamental courses at one or two feeding stations only.

As shown in Figs. 11 and 12 the needle walls 82 are recessed as at 83 thus permitting the cam 59 to be positioned closely adjacent to the needle cylinder. The walls 82 are beveled as at 84 being firmly retained in position by the wedging action of ring segments 85 which are likewise beveled on their faces contacting with the bevels 84. The segments 85 are connected to the needle cylinder as by screws (not shown).

Referring now to the modification disclosed in Figs. 13-18 inclusive, the plates 1' which are spaced around theneedle cylinder as are the plates 1, have mounted thereon posts upon which are mounted cams controlling movements of the needles and other knitting instrumentalities such as sz'nkers. Also mounted on each plate I is a bracket plate 8' and cams 89. Upon bracket plate 8' are mounted uprights 2|, 22', each including spaced arms corresponding to the arms 23, 24, 25 and", Fig. 6. Between the only method of knitting patterned fabrics which.

can result from the use of the construction hereinbefore described.

The plungers 83' are held in a forward position adjacent to the needle cylinder as by springs 84', 35, being selectively engaged by implements that enter the notches 39' and move the said plungers 33' outwardly and against the' tension of the springs 38' 35', the said plungers when moved outwardly being locked in position by detents or shouders ll engaging the arm 24' in the same manner as hereinbefore described in connection with the form of' the invention shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. The inward and outward movements of the plungers 83' are limited by the plate 43' which engages the shoulders at each end of the slot 44'. I l

The jack selection presently to be described is effected in a manner somewhat different than that hereinbefore described and as a consequence thereof cams similar to the cams 89 are not necessary.

Referring particularly to Figs. 16, 17 and 18 where the cams adjacent to the feeding stations A, B, C are shown, the path of the jack butts BI is indicated by the dot and dash lines 88', the path of the needle butts 84' is indicated by the dot and dash line 86', and the path of the selective jack butts H is indicated by the single dot. and dash line 88. As in the form shown in Figs. II and I2, each jack 62' is initially provided with a full complement, say twenty, frangible butts II, some or all of which are broken off. as dictated by the pattern of the fabric to be knitted. The -butfs I, II are triangular,

by two feeding stations B and C where special their upper edges inclining downwardly and outwardly, thus permitting cams or plungers 83' more readily to enter between closely adjacent butts.

When the jacks 82' have been assembled in accordance with the pattern of .the fabric to be knitted, the needles are selected by the plungers 33' which elevate ,the jacks and consequently their companion needles by selectively engaging the butts ll.

The relative rotary movements of the cams and needles being such as to cause the needles and jacks to move from the right 'to the left, Fig. 16, the needle butts 64! travel along the path 66', the jack butts 6| travel along the path 63, the selective butts 1| travel along the path 86, and the upper jackbutts 81 travel along a path indicated by the dot and dash line 88. As the cams at the feeding stationA' effect the knitting of plain fabric the needles and jacks move along independent paths, the movements of the jacks not affecting the movements of their companion needles. As the needles and jacks leave their respective cams 69, 90 and 89, 9|, selectively positioned plungers 33', one of which is shown'immediately at the left of feeding station A, Fig. 16, engage selective butts H elevating jacks 62' to which they are attached a short distance suflicient to cause the butts 6| on such selected jacks to be engaged by a cam 92 which latter cam elevates the selected jacks causing the butts 84' of the selected needles to be elevated as indicated by the portion of the path 66' designated by 93. At the same time the butts,

64' of the non-selected needles move horizontally at a low level 94. The described division of the needles may cause the elevated needles to knit the yarn fed to the said needles at the feeding station B and the said yarn to float across the wales; of the non-selected needles; however, the needle selection may be for the purpose of effecting; the knitting of other forms of special or ornamental stitches. The cams 69, 9| thereafter: engage. the needle butts i4 and upper jack butts: 81 ot the" selected needles and jacks thus causing the selectedneedles to draw new stitches through the stitches drawn at the feeding station A. the needle butts 64 leave the cam 90 a portion- 95: thereof? elevates the needles thus separating the needles and lacks as indicated in Fig. 17. As the needles and lacks approach the feeding station C" an plunger 88" is shown as elevating some of? the-jacks 82 which may be the jacks elevatcd preparatory to knitting at feeding station B"'or other Jacks. As before, the preparatory elevating-movement of the Jacks by the plunger 33" raises the lower butts 8| on the said jacks; toi be engaged by an cam 92, the raising of the jacks by the can 92 correspondin'gly raising the" needles as iiidicated at 93. The butts 6| of the 'non-selected jacks travel along the path 83' and as aconsequence thereof do not affect the movements: of their companion needles the butts 64' of which, however, engage and are elevated by a cam -96 which raises the.

,to engage the yarn fed= to; the needlesat the feeding station C. After-'the needles'arecaused -to draw new stitches 'by'the cam 88 at feeding station' C their butts are: engaged and the needles consequently-'elevated'= by cams 91 and 68 which raise all of the needles to a latch clearwhich passes downwardly through the arm I91 ing position after which they may all knit plain stitches at a feeding station corresponding to feeding station A.

Although in the foregoing a feeding station A at which plain stitches are knitted has been describedas followed by a feeding station B atv which a float thread course is knitted and then by a feeding station C at which tuck stitches stations such as A, B, C may follow one ana other in any order, or adjacent feeding stations may be identical. Furthermore, while float stitches are knitted at feeding station B and tuck stitches at feeding station C it is within the scope of this invention to make other forms of special or ornamental stitches at one or more of the feeding stations.

It sometimes happens when changing patterns, i. e., reselecting the plungers33 at the several feeding stations, that the selected jacks, the selective butts l I of which have been partially elevated by plungers 33, have elevated the lower butts 6| to a level intermediate their upper and lower positions. The effect of such a relative positioning of the lower butts 6| with respect to a cam 92 is illustrated in Figs. 19-24 inclusive. The lower butts 6| of the non-selected jacks pass below the cam 92 when the needle cylinder 2 is again rotated after a pattern has been changed, the position of the said butts being shown in Fig. 20 and the path of the said butts being also illustrated at 98, Figs. 22 and 23. Furthermore, the jacks that have been fully raised by the plungers 33, upon resumption of knitting move along a path 99, Figs. 22 and 23. Accordingly the jacks whose butts, upon resumption of knitting move' along paths 98 and 99 cause no trouble; however, the butts 6 I that have, as just described, been partially elevated only by the withdrawn jacks which were active in accordance with the previous pattern, upon resumption of knitting will move along an intermediate path such as I00, Figs. 22 and 23. As knittingis resumed and the needle cylinder recommences to rotate, such butts BI move along the dotted line paths I90, Figs. 22 and 23, towards the respective cams. 92 and 92' and if the cam 92 or the cam 92' were held in a rigid position adjacent to the needle cylinder the butts 6| advancing along the paths I00 would strike the cam 92 or 92, as the case may be, at its leading edge but below the proper level 99 to engage the upper face of the cam and be elevated thereby; in other words, the butts 6| of suchjacks would be broken. To avoid any such occurrence the cam 92 is pivotally mountedv so that it may be swung away from the needle cylinder by a butt 6| advancing along an inter-' maintain-the cam yieldably in the position shown in Fig. 20. The movement of the cam 92 toward the needle cylinder is limited by means of stop screw or pin I96 which passes through an upwardly extending arm I03! of a bracket which is fastened to the'circular base 4 of the machine as by screw' I08. The pin or screw I06 is locked in adjusted position as by means of a second screw I09 and into contact with the screw I06.

Although the cam 92 shown'in Fig. 22 is pivotally mounted as just described to swing away from the needle cylinder thus avoiding the breaking of butts 6|, it is desirable that a butt the jack of which is to select its needle for the new pattern,

which butt is adjacent to a butt travelling along an intermediate path I; be permitted upon resumption of knitting, to engage and be elevated by the upper-face of the cam 92. This desirable object'is not always attained when using the cam .92 having a straight, inclined surface such as shown in Fig. 22, and it is with the purpose of overcoming the possibility of certain of the butts 61' not being elevated upon the resumption of knitting, that the cam 92' is used. The advantages inherent in the cam 92 as compared with the cam 92, will be obvious by inspection of Fig. 24. In this figure the dotted line represents the upper surface of the cam 92, Fig. 22, and the curved line immediately adjacent thereto represents the upper surface of .the cam 92'. In the said Fig. 24 an intermediately positioned butt 6| is shown at I Ill and an immediately adjacent butt 6 I the jack of which has been selected according to the new pattern, is indicated at I I I. It will be evident that if the straight cam 92 be used and assuming the cam 92 to be in the position shown in Fig. 19, that the butt indicated at III would pass back of the cam 92 before the said cam would be released to swing to a position adjacent to the needle cylinder such as shown in Fig. 20, and as a consequence thereof the said butt indicated at III would pass back of the cam and would hold the said cam in an outer position which would also prevent adjacent and following butts 6| ,must elapse before a butt such as that indicated at I II will be engaged and elevated.

It will be noted that the leading edges of the cams 92, 92 are curved as at II2 thereby to permit the intermediately positioned butts 6| to swing the cam to the position shown in Fig. 19;

otherwise the said butts would be broken by the said leading edge of the cam.

To permit withdrawal of the brackets 8, Fig. 5, it is necessary to remove the screw I0. As shown in Fig. 13 a loosening of the screw- I0 permits the bracket 8 to be removed from the machine, this being due to the provision of a slot Il3 in the bracket 8' within which slot the shank of the screw I0 sats when the bracket 8 is in an assem-r bled position.

' Although a rotary needle cylinder type of machine has been illustrated obviously the cams could rotate in which, event the needle cylinder would be stationary. Furthermore, it is not essential that the needles be arranged in a circle.

Pattern effects in a knitted fabric are ordinarily produc'ed by, more or less, selective control of knitting instrumentalities which include needles, sinkers, jacks, pressers, etc., and wherever in the description or claims knitting instrumentalities are referred to it is the intention thereby to include any or all of the knitting instrumentalities that" cooperate in the knitting of 6' plain or special stitches such as float or tuck stitches, the knitting of which has hereinbefore been described.

The hereinbefore described arrangement of plungers or elements and the control of the same provide a construction that permits quick changes in the positions of the said plungers so that changes can be readily effected manually and at any time at one or more of the feeding stations to the end that relatively short lengths of fabric having difierent patterns or other distinguishing characteristics can be set up and knitted in a relatively short length of time as compared' with the time required when employing automatically controlled means for producing an equivalent output.

Although in the foregoing description specific terms have been employed and reference has been made to specific combinations of elements and arrangements thereof, such description taken in conjunction with the showing in the drawings has been merely illustrative and not with any intention of limiting the invention otherwise than required by the specific recitations in the claims themselves.

We claim: v

1. An instrumentality selecting means for attachment to a knitting machine, including an upright support having two slotted and upstanding members, members mounted to slide in the slots aforesaid, spring means attached to the support and to the membersfor maintaining the members yieldingly in a fdrward position where they may act upon knittinginstrumentalities, the said members being recessed on one edge thereof and means on the support adapted to seat within the mentioned recesses to hold' the ineinbersdn a retracted position where they do not act upon the said knitting instrumentalities.

.2. Pattermmechanismfor attachment to a knitting machine including a support and a series of thin, .flat elements which, in their active and inactive positions are disposed in parallel juxtaposition, said elements being movablymounted in the support to move to and from an active position where they selectively act upon knitting instrumentalities, the said movements being efiected manually, and spring means for yieldingly acting upon the said elements selectively to maintain them in one of their said positions. I

3. Pattern mechanism for attachment to a knitting machine including a support and a series. of thin, flat elements which, in theiractive and inactive positions are disposed in parallel juxtaposition, said elements being slidably mounted in the support to move to and from an active position where. they selectively act upon knitting instrumentalities, the said movements being eifeced manually, and spring means for yieldingly 60' acting upon the said elements selectively to maintain them in one of their said positions.

"4. Pattern mechanism for attachment to a knitting machine including a support and a series of thin, ilat elements which, in their active and inactive positions are disposed in parallel juxtaposition, said elements being movably mounted in the support to move to and from an active position where they selectively act upon knitting instrumentalities, the said movements being eflected manually, and spring means for yieldingly actingupon the said elements selectively to move the said elements to a position to act upon the said knitting instrumentalities.

5. Pattern mechanism for attachment to a knitting machine including a support and a series of thin, flat elements which, in their active and -ing upon the said elements selectively to move the said elements to a position to act upon the said knitting instrumentalities, and locking means -to retain said members in inactive position.

.6. Pattern mechanism for attachment to a 'knitting machine'including a support and a series ofthin, flat elements which, in their active and inactive positions are disposed in parallel juntaposition, said elements being movably mounted in the support to move to and from an active position where they selectively act upon knitting in strumentalities, the said movements beingeflected manually, spring means for yieldingly acting upon'the said elements selectively to move the said elements to a position to act upon the said knitting instrumentalities, and means for locking the said elements in an inactive position including shoulders on the elements adapted to engage the support, the locking engagement between the elements and support being efiected by a rocking movement imparted to the elements as they are retracted.

7. A multi-feed knitting machine having a circular bank of knitting instrumentalities including needles, and cam means for imparting independent movements to the needles, there being relative rotary movement between the needles and the cam means, aplurality of feeding stations at each of which yarn is fed to some of .the knitting instrumentalities, means individual to each of a plurality of said feeding stations acting in conjunction with the cam means and stationary with respect thereto, for acting upon the knitting instrumentalitiesto efiect the knitting of variations inthe fabric, the means last mentioned at' each of said plurality of feeding stations including a plurality of thin, juxtaposed, like elements, said elements being individually movable to and from a position to affect the operations of the knitting instrumentalities, the said movements being eflected by manual operation, said elements being maintained in their position to afiect'the' operation of the knitting instrumentalities and tive upon the knitting instrumentalities, whereby quick and manual changes in the positions of the said elements can be readily effected at any time at desired ones of the means individual to each of a plurality of said feeding stations, so that relatively short lengths of fabric having diiferent patterns or other distinguishing characteristics, can be set up and knitted in a relatively short length of timeas compared with the time required when employing automatically controlled mean for producing an equivalent output.

8. A multi-feed knitting machine having a circular bank of needles and cam-means for imparting independent movements to the needles, there being. relative rotary movement between the needles and the cam means, a plurality of feeding stations at each of which. yarn is fed to the needles of the knitting machine, means individual to each of a plurality of said feeding sta tions acting in conjunction with the cam means and stationary with respect thereto, for acting upon the needles to eifectthe knitting of variations in the fabric, the means lastmentioned at each of said plurality of feeding stations includwhen moved to their other position being ineflecing a plurality of thin, juxtaposed, like elements, said elements being movable to and from a position to efiect the operations of the needles, the

said movements being effected by manual operation, said elements being maintained in their position to. effect the operation of the needles and when moved to their other position being ineffective upon the needles, whereby quick and manual changes in the positions of the said elements can be readily effected at any time at desired ones of the means individual to each of a plurality of said feeding stations, so that relatively short lengths of fabric having different patterns or other distinguishing characteristics, can be set up and knitted in a relatively short length of time as compared with the time required when employing automatically controlled means for producing'an equivalent output.

9. A multi-feed knitting machine having a circular bank of knitting instrumentalities including needles, and cam means for imparting independent movements to the needles, there being relative rotary movement between the needles and the cam means, a plurality of feeding stations at each of which yarn is fed to some of the knitting instrumentalities, means individual to each 1 of a plurality of said feeding stations acting in conjunction with the cam means and stationary with respect thereto, for acting upon the knitting instrumentalities to effect the knitting of varia- 'tions in the fabric, the means last mentioned at each of said plurality of feeding stations including a plurality of thin, juxtaposed, like elements, said elements being individually movable to and froma position to affect the operations of the knitting instrumentalities, the said movements being effected by manual operation. and spring means for moving the said elements to one of their said positions, said elements being maintained in their position to affect the operation of the knitting instrumentalities and when moved to their other position being ineffective upon the,

knitting instrumentalities, whereby quick and manual changes in the positions of the said elements can be readily effected at any time at desired ones of the means individual to each of a plurality of said feeding stations, so that relatively short lengths of fabric having different patterns or other distinguishing characteristics,

can be set up and knitted in a relatively short length of time as compared with the time requiredwhen employing automatically controlled means for producing an equivalent output.

'10. A multi-feed knitting machine having a circular bank of knitting instrumentalities including needles, and cam means for imparting independent movements to the needles, there being relative rotary movement between the needles and the cam means, a plurality of feeding stations at each of which yarn is fed to some of the knitting instrumentalities, means individual to each of a plurality of said feeding stations acting in conjunction with the cam means and stationary with respect thereto, for acting upon the knitting instrumentalities to effect the kn tting of variations in the fabric, the means last mentioned at each of said plurality of feeding stations including a plurality of thin, juxtaposed, like elements, said elements being individually movable to and from a position to effect the operations of the knitting instrumentalities, the said movements being effected by manual operation, and spring means for moving the said elements to a position to affect the operations of knitting instrumentalities, said elements being maintained in their position to affect the operation of the knitting instrumentalities and when moved to their other position being ineffective upon the knitting instrumentalities, whereby quick and manual changes in the positions of the said elements can be readily effected at any time at desired ones of the means individual to each of a plurality of said feeding stations, so that relatively short lengths of fabric having differentpatterns or other distinguishing characteristics, can be set up and knitted in a relatively short length of time as compared with the time required when employing automatically controlled means for producing an equivalent output.

11. A multi-feed knitting machine having a circular bank of knitting instrumentalities including needles and jacks, and cam means for imparting independent movements to the needles and jacks, there being relative rotary movement between the needles, the jacks and the cam means, a plurality of feeding stations at each of which yarn is fed-to some of the knitting instrumentalities, means individual to each of a plurality of said feeding stations acting in conjunction with the cam means and stationary with respect thereto, for acting upon the jacks, which jacks act upon-their companion needles to effect the knitting of variations in the fabric, the means last mentioned at each of said plurality of feeding stations including a plurality of thin juxtaposed, like elements, said elements being indi vidualiy movable to and from a position to aifct the operations of the knitting instrumentaiities, the said movements being effected by manual operation, said elements being maintained in their position to aifect the operation of the knitting instrumentalities and when moved to their other position being ineffective upon the knitting instrumentalities, whereby quick and manual changes in the positions of the said elements can be readily effected at any time at desired ones of the means individual to each of a plurality-cf said feeding stations, so that relatively short lengths of fabric having different patterns or other distinguishing characteristics, can be set between the needles, the jacks and the cam means, a plurality of feeding stations at each of which yarnis fed to some.of, the knitting instrumentalit-ies, means individual to eachof apiurality of said feeding'stations acting in conjunction with the cam means and stationarv with respect thereto, for acting upon the jacks, which jacks are rocked to act upon their companion needles to affect the knitting of variations in the fabric. the means last mentioned at each of said p urality of feedin stations including-a plurality of thin juxtaposed, like elements, said elements being individually movable to and from a pos tion to affect the operations'of the knitting instrumentalities, the said movem nts being eff cted bv manual operation, said elements being maintained in their posit on to affect the operation of the knitting instrumentalities and when moved to their other position being ineffective upon the knitting instrumentalities, whereby quick and manual changesin the positions of the said elements can be readily eflected at any time at desired ones of the means individual to each of a plurality of said feeding stations, so that relatively short lengths of fabric having different patterns or other distinguishing characteristics, can be set up and knitted in a relatively short length of time as compared with the time required when employing automatically controlled means for producing an equivalent output.

13. A multi-feed knittingmachine having a circular bank of knitting instrumentalities including needles and cam means for imparting independent movements to the needles, the circular bank of needles rotating and the cam means being stationary during knitting, a plurality of feeding stations at each of which yarn is fed to some of the knitting instrumentalities, means individual to each of a plurality of said feeding stations acting in conjunction with the cam means and stationary with respect thereto, for acting upon the knitting instrumentalities to effect the knitting of variations in the fabric, the means last mentioned at each of said plurality of feeding stations including a plurality of thin, juxtaposed, like eements, said. elements being individually movable to and from a position to affect the operations of the knitting instrumentalities,

the said movements being effected by manual operation, said elements being maintained in their position to affect the operation of the knitting instrumentalities, and when moved to their other position being ineffective upon the knitting incircular bank of needles and cam means for imparting independent movements to the needles, the circular bank of needles rotating and the cam means being stationary during knitting, a pluralityof feeding stations at each of which yarn is fed to the needles of the knitting machine, means individual to each of a plurality of said feeding stations acting in conjunction with the cam means and stationary with respect-thereto, for acting upon the needles to efl'ect'the knitting of variations in the fabric, the means last mentioned at each of said plurality of-feeding stations including a plurality of thin, juxtaposed, like elements, said elements being movable, to and from a position to affect the operations of the needles, the said movements being effected by manual operation, said elements being maintained in their position to affect the operation of the needles and when moved to their other position being ineffective upon the needles, whereby quick, and manual changes in the positions of the 'said elements can be readily effected at any time at desired ones of the meansindividual to each of a plurality of said feeding: stations, so that relatively short lengths of fabric having different patterns or other distinguishim characteristics, can be set up and knitted in a relar tively short length of time as compared with the time required when employing automaticall'! controlled means for producing an equivalent outpltt.

15. A multi-feed knitting machine having a circular bank of knitting instrumentalities including needles, and cam means for imparting independent movementsto the needles, the circular bank of needles rotating and the cam.

means being stationary during knitting, a plurality of feeding stations at each of which yarn is fed to some of the knitting instrumentalities, means individual to each ofa plurality of said feeding stations acting in conjunction with the cam means and stationary with respect thereto, for acting upon the knitting instrumentalities to effect the knitting of variations in the fabric, the means last mentioned at each of said plurality of feeding stations including ,a plurality of thin, juxtaposed, like elements, said elements being individually movable to and from a position to afiect the operations of the knitting instrumentalities, the said movements being effected by manual operation, and spring means for moving the said elements to one of their said positions, said elements being maintained in their position to affect the operation of the knitting instrumentalities and when moved to their other position being ineffective upon the knitting instrumentalities, whereby quick and manual changes in the positions of the said elements can be readily effected at anytime at desired ones of the means individual to each of a plurality of said feeding stations, so that relatively short lengths of fabric 5 having diflerent patterns or other distinguishing characteristics, can beset up and knitted in a relatively short length of time as compared with the time required when employing automatically controlled means for producing an equivalent output.

16. A multi-feed knitting machine having a circular bank of knitting instrumentalities includingneedles, and cam means for imparting independent movements to the needles, the circular bank of needles rotating and the cam means being stationary during knitting, a plurality of feeding stations at each of which yarn is fed to some of the knitting instrumentalities, means individualto each of a plurality of said feeding stations acting in conjunction with the cam means and stationary with respect thereto, for acting upon the knitting instrumentalities to effect the knitting of variations in the fabric, the

means last mentioned at each of said plurality.

of feeding stations including a plurality of thin,

, juxtaposed, like elements, said elements being individually movable to and from a position to effect the operations of the knitting instrumentalities, the said movements being effected by manoperation of, the knitting instrumentalities and when moved to their,other position being ineffective upon the knitting instrmnentalities, wherebyquick and manual changes in the positions of the said elements can be readily effected at any time at desired ones of the means individual to each of a plurality of feeding stations, so that relatively short lengtl'rsmif fabric having different patterns or other distig characteristics, can be set up and knitted. in a relatively short length of time ,as compared with the time required when employing automatically controlled means for producing an eqm galent output. i

1'7. A multi-feed knitting machine a circular bank of knitting instrumentalities, the

cluding needles and jacks, and cam means for imparting independent movements to the needles, the circular bank of needles rotating and the cam means being stationary during knitting, a plurality of feeding stations at each of which yarn is fed 'to some of the knitting instrumentalities, means individual to each of a plurality equivalent output.

of said feeding stations acting in conjunction with the cam means and stationary with respect thereto, for acting upon the jacks, which jacks act upon their companion needles to effect the knitting of variations in the fabric, the means last mentioned at each of said plurality of feeding stations including a plurality of thin, juxtaposed, like elements, said elements being individually movable to and from a position to affect the operations of the knitting instrumentalities, the said movements being effected by manual operation, said elements being maintained in their position to affect the operation of the knitting instrumentalities and when moved to their other position being ineffective upon the knitting instrumentalities, whereby quick and manual changes in the positions of the said elements can be readily efiected at any time at desired onesofimparting independent movements to the needles and jacks, the circular bank of needles rotating and the cam means being stationary during knitting, a plurality of feeding stations at each of which yarn is fed to some of the knitting instrumentalities, means individual to each of a plurality of said feeding stations acting in conjunction with the cam means and stationary with respect thereto, for acting upon the jacks, which jacks are rocked to act upon their companion needles to affect the knitting of variations in the fabric, the means last mentioned at each of said plurality of feeding stations including a plurality of thin, juxtaposed, like elements, said elements being individually movable'to and from a position to affect the operations of the knitting instrumentalities, the said movements being effected by manual operation, said elements being maintained in their position to affect the operation of the knitting instrumentalities and when moved to their other position being ineflective upon the knitting instrumentalities, whereby quick and manual changes in the positions of the said elements can be readily effected at any time at desired ones of the means individual to each of a plurality of said feeding stations, so that relatively short lengths of fabric having different patterns or other distinguishing characteristics, can be set up and knitted in a relatively short length of time as compared with the time required when employing automatically controlled means for producing an equivalentoutput.

s WILLIAM L; SMITH, JR.

ROBERT H. LAWSON. 

